Petersburg crews, neighbors clear tornado damage

PETERSBURG, Va. (WTVR) – The City of Petersburg is helping homeowners clean-up after a tornado touched down Friday.

“Our goal now is to focus on those areas that were hit the worst,” Petersburg Director of Public Works Steven Hicks told CBS 6 senior reporter Wayne Covil. “We’re asking citizens to bring as much debris as possible to the street. We’ll take it from there.”

Hicks said his crews will work two, 10-hour days to get the job done.

“If we need to continue to work on Wednesday and Thursday we will,” he added.

Hicks said neighbors with questions can call the Department of Public Works at Public (804) 733-2353.

State officials survey Petersburg tornado damage (PHOTO: Wayne Covil)

Monday Secretary of Public Safety Marla Decker and Michael Cline, state coordinator of emergency management, toured Petersburg to meet with local officials and see Friday’s storm damage.

On Saturday, the National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched down in Petersburg Friday. The tornado tracked about three miles and was between 150 and 200 yards wide, in Petersburg. [REALTED: Weather Service confirms tornado hit Petersburg]

Petersburg Fire Chief T.C. Hairston said the three areas of the city hit by the tornado and damaging winds look “like a war zone.”

“Basically we got damage from Battlefield Park, over through Oakhurst, over here in East Walnut Hill, extensive damage,” said Hariston.